Argumentative essay examples, concept and characteristics

The argumentative or critical essay of the present is faithful to its origins, since it is an academic writing that is based, mainly, on the personal opinion of the writer, opinion product of the deep reflection on a subject, in general, controversial. It is true that this writing has a good dose of reflection, subjectivity and controversy; however, it is also necessary to provide evidence of various kinds to support the opinions that are expressed. It is worth mentioning that it is a writing whose function is not to treat a topic exhaustively; its main function is to reflect on an issue, adopt a position, express opinions and justify them. That is to say, that a fundamental aspect of the essay is to provide a new personal perspective on an issue, without forgetting the rigor required by academic texts, such as the use of data and documentary references.

The purposes of the argumentative essay examples are always clear: present a point of view and provide evidence, which may consist of concrete or anecdotal facts, and then, support them.

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Predominantly argumentative essays, both in content and form, generally address issues that lend themselves to controversy.

Alvaro Díaz “Written argumentation”

An argumentative essay sample is one characterized by the development of a certain argument or reasoning in order to persuade readers about the validity of a point of view. The central point, obviously, is that argument and the way in which it is explained through the essay.

Are all the essays argumentative? Sample argumentative essay

This question is somewhat difficult to answer. In an essay, for example, of an expository nature, a certain argumentative line can easily be developed. That is, both types can be mixed, and in that case it would be an expository-argumentative essay.

If a person decides to “expose” about the negative and positive effects of global warming with simple language, he may also want to argue about why investing in green energy is important.In this case research paper topics will definitely help you.

It could be affirmed, therefore, that an essay can be considered “argumentative” when it aims to present a coherent and well-explained reasoning about a topic and thus provoke the reader’s adherence to the argument it describes.

Characteristics of the argumentative essay

Presentation of a point of view, as a sample argumentative essay, based on the structure of any essay: introduction, body or content, and conclusion.

  • Develop the argument in a detailed and coherent manner.
  • Analysis of the pros and cons of positions or opinions related to the subject.
  • A conclusion tending to convince the reader.

Structure and analysis of an argumentative essay

Argumentative essays do not really constitute a closed type of essay. The nature of the test prevents them from being classified in totally different types.

Some authors point out that when the essay is argumentative, the primary purpose is to convince and generate controversy about the topic. That is the purpose of every argument. Investigate, analyze and present the written with a form to provoke a certain reaction in the reader: that it adheres or rejects what the essay proposes. To know how an argumentative essay is structured, let’s analyze the following example.

“The rebellion of the masses”, by José Ortega y Gasset

The components of those crowds have not come out of nowhere. Approximately, the same number of people existed fifteen years ago. After the war, it would seem natural for that number to be smaller. Here we run into, however, the first important note. The individuals that make up these crowds pre-existed, but not as a crowd. Spread across the world in small groups, or loners, they led a life, apparently, divergent, dissociated, and distant. Each one – individual or small group – occupied a place, perhaps his own, in the countryside, in the village, in the village, in the neighborhood of the big city.

Now, suddenly, they appear under the kind of agglomeration, and our eyes see everywhere crowds.

Wherever? No no; precisely in the best places, relatively refined creation of human culture, reserved before to smaller groups, in short, to minorities. The crowd, suddenly, has become visible, has settled in the preferred places of society. Before, if it existed, it went unnoticed, occupied the bottom of the social scene; now she has overtaken the batteries, she is the main character.

Although it is only a fragment, it is already possible to analyze the idea with argumentative essay assistance that the author wants to transmit. What is the main argument of this fragment and how does the essayist sustain it? Ortega speaks of a “crowd” in particular, and exposes the change that occurred in it in a period of time.

His argumentation, in line with argumentative essay example, develops the way in which this change has occurred and speaks of the characteristics of said social phenomenon.